Education
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Done.
Gov Daniels has paid back over $520 million to all K-12 schools, universities, and local government units that were owed to them from the previous administration's deficit spending.
2004 Roadmap Promise: Done.
Revise ISTEP+.
Governor Daniels, in 2006, signed a law directing development of a long-term plan for student assessment. The plan was unanimously approved and is in the process of implementation. When fully implemented, the accountability test will take place in the spring. Teachers will have access to voluntary diagnostic exams to use throughout the year, which will provide better measurements so students can receive additional help when needed. End-of-course exams will replace the Graduation Qualifying Exam to better ensure students understand materials and can apply concepts.
2004 Roadmap Promise: Done.
Support charter schools.
Indiana received federal charter school grants, in 2005 and 2007, to assist with planning, design and initial implementation. In the past three years, 20 new charter schools have opened their doors. More than 9,000 students now attend charter schools across the state.
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2004 Roadmap Promise: Done.
Simplify school funding.
In 2005, Governor Daniels signed law simplifying school funding formula. Today, school support is based on school enrollment with additional monies provided to schools with higher populations of at-risk students.
2004 Roadmap Promise: Done.
Expand access to kindergarten.
In 2007, Governor Daniels signed a law that drastically increased funding for full-day kindergarten from $8.5 million to $58.5 million. The enrollment cut-off date was moved from July 1st to August 1st, so Indiana no longer had the oldest kindergarteners in the nation.
2004 Roadmap Promise: Done.
Take politics out of education.
Governor Daniels, in 2005, signed law requiring Professional Standards Division to report to the superintendent of public instruction. Bills introduced, in 2005 and 2006, to appoint the superintendent did not pass the legislature.
